Biography: An avid fan of reading, collecting old books and painting watercolors when the mood strikes, Bobbie Crawford is the Founder & Owner of Nurture Your BOOKS™ and she works on a little bit of everything, focusing primarily on the one-on-one with clients as a Book Publicist and Virtual Book Tour Coordinator.

Bobbie: Nurture Your BOOKS™ is quite innovative and unique in that it has an adaptable business model. We stick with what works and add new services that have proven to be effective and of good value for our clients. We evolve with literary industry as it changes.

Martin: So, you can really help authors to showcase their work?

Bobbie: Yes, we can help them showcase, promote and market their work in a variety of ways. We have a list of most of our services, here.

Martin: Would you say the cost of the services is good value for money?

Bobbie: Yes, I would say so. I was discussing this exact topic today with my PA, just this afternoon. Our pricing is set well below the industry average for the experience and expertise that we have; our fees are set this low to help raise-up and grow the self-publishing and indie book industry surrounding authors.

Martin: What inspired you to initiate ‘Nurture Your Books’?

Bobbie: I founded Nurture Your BOOKS™ back in 2010 in response to a glaring need for professionals who can advise, guide and assist authors and publishing companies by helping them reach their online marketing, publicity, and promotion goals; we bridge the ever-widening gap between those who need help and those who are qualified to provide it.

Martin: Do you think book covers are important?

Bobbie: Without a doubt. For any seeing person, a book cover is the first thing that they will notice and it’s great a way for an author to make a favourable first impression on potential readers.

Martin: Do you experience any challenges with ‘Nurture Your Books’?

Bobbie: My biggest challenge is having to tell a potential client that their work does not currently meet our promotional standards. Promotional standards are minimum requirements that Nurture Your BOOKS™ has for our clients before we can promote them and their work. A potential client and their book(s) generally meet our promotional standards if their book has been professionally edited, has a high-quality, professional cover design (front & back) and the book has been properly formatted. We review all pertinent information before we agree to promote an author and their work. These standards exist to help our client’s books meet industry standards, so their work can compete with releases from medium and large, traditional publishing houses.

Martin: Do any particular authors inspire you?

Bobbie: I won’t name any names but if you’re an author who faces hardships, self-doubt, and challenges but you keep writing anyhow, you inspire me.

Martin: Does anyone outside of the writing world inspire you?

Bobbie: Yes, my best friend, the love my life and my soulmate; he inspires me each and every day. His love, support, and encouragement give me all the positivity and inspiration that I need.

Martin: I was once asked in an interview if I preferred The Beatles or The Monkees? How about you?

Bobbie: The Beatles. My Step Father, may he rest in peace, was a man who I loved dearly. When I was only 14 or 15 years old, he introduced me to them and I’ve been a fan ever since.

Martin: What angers you?

Bobbie: Having no coffee when I wake up makes me incredibly grumpy. Close enough?

Martin: What makes you laugh and smile?

Bobbie: A good comedy special makes me laugh. Going for a long drive in the countryside in the summertime with the windows down, looking at beautiful flowers, getting fresh cup of coffee, kitties playing, birds doing silly things – they all make me smile. 🙂

Martin: Do you have a favorite quote?

Bobbie: Yes, I do. “Live, Laugh, Love.”

Martin: Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Bobbie: I’d like to thank you for having me here today. I really appreciate this opportunity as I am normally the one interviewing people. It’s a nice change.

Martin: Where can we learn even more about you and ‘Nurture Your Books’?

Bobbie: You can learn more about Nurture Your BOOKS™ by visiting our website and on our social media accounts:

Biography: Sai Marie is an author, creative writer, and concept creator. She resides in the Great Pacific Northwest where she enjoys the flora, fauna, action and adventure that bred the Pioneer Spirit. With a heart for advocacy, animals, the environment, and great imagination she is sure to capture your attention with something for everyone.

Martin: Hello Sai, I understand that you have some important and exciting news?

SJ: Hello Martin, yes that is true. I’m excited to announce that I have a new book releasing, Forbidden Fantasies; which is my 15th published title. It will be out on Halloween.

Martin: Tell me a bit about your writing to date including any genre specifics.

SJ: Well, each of my titles have been very different; however, I’ve learned that contemporary romantic thrillers and paranormal or urban fantasy seem to be my niche markets.

Martin: What inspired you to write?

SJ: I’ve been telling stories since I was a child and began penning them in grammar school. I decided to become an author in my later years, however, and only decided to pursue my career after many other people pointed out that I had great concepts that others would enjoy. At that time, I chose to take a leap of faith, enrolled in college and the rest is relative history.

Martin: Do you think book covers are important? Can you tell me about yours?

SJ: As sad as it is to admit, imagery is what we pay most attention to and while it is wrong to judge a book by a cover most consumers are guilty of doing so at some point in their lives. Because of this, yes, a book cover is paramount to your success just as much as a quality blurb is. My cover for my newest release is a self-designed cover and I am quite proud of it as it shows some of my own graphic skills and talents and allows me to enjoy all aspects of the creative process when designing, marketing, and selling my story.

Martin: What projects are you working on at the moment?

SJ: I am working on a new story for NaNoWriMo entitled Swiped, it is a contemporary romantic thriller that takes place in Eugene, Oregon around the U of O campus.

Martin: Do you experience any challenges when writing?

SJ: Finding the proper balance between writing, marketing and creating all the content and materials needed to bring exposure to my work.

Martin: Do any authors inspire you?

SJ: Oh, yes. Several actually, some names recently are Alta Hensley, Ashley Jade and Haylee Thorne. Each of these women are incredibly talented and their success had lead me to believe mine is not too far off.

Martin: Does anyone outside of the writing world inspire you?

SJ: My parents and children both inspire me. However, I find most of my inspiration doesn’t come from other people but from being in nature and left to my own wandering mind’s devices.

Martin: I was once asked in an interview if I preferred The Beatles or The Monkees? How about you? Also do you like music and does that ever inspire your work?

SJ: Music is important to world building and I believe it helps immerse both author and reader into the world backdrop a creator is making when considering the songs and music listened to while creating. I would have to say that for myself, it would be the Beatles.

Martin: What angers you/makes you cry?

SJ: Giving away one’s emotional responses is usually a bad idea, isn’t it? I jest, but in all honesty the usual things. A loved one dying or becoming sick, the loss of a pet, seeing a family’s home burn down and people suffering from the loss of having a home, knowing people are homeless and veterans are without medical care. Lots of things about the world outside me disturb and anger me as well as cause me tears and sadness and joy alike.

Martin: What makes you laugh?

SJ: I like witty puns that others may not get unless they are intellectual. I’m odd and have a dark sense of humour at times. For instance, the scene of Joe Black being run over in Meet Joe Black, I admit I laughed at first when seeing it and it was an awful depiction honestly. However, I could not help but laugh because of how ridiculous the flying body in the air appeared. Some might think this is a bit appalling but, like I said, dark humoured at times.

Martin: Do you have a favourite quote?

SJ: Yes, my favorite quote is by Mark Twain: “Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.”

Martin: Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

SJ: Yes, I expect to have another release very soon upon completing Swiped and hope that others will check out my social networks to learn more about that book.

Sheltered and yet looking to expand beyond her small-town Alabama raising, Araceli’s attending Vanderbilt University in Nashville but so far, she hasn’t broadened her horizons in the least. A pretty and successful student, Araceli spends all her days studying, attending class and living a fairly boring existence. That is until her dorm mate peer pressures her to attend the biggest frat and Halloween party on campus and when Araceli finally breaks out of her closed up shell, the consequences might just be devastating.

Abel Slaine

For centuries, he has scoured the earth searching for her, the demonic queen who stole his beloved before they ever had the chance to thrive. She and all of her dark daughters have been his target for millennia and now there is a new one who will find her death at the end of his hands one way or another but putting plan to action may prove more difficult than Abel has bargained for when his prey becomes more than a deathly pursuit.

The very fact that I have even taken the time to Blog on this Boxing Day 2016 is a measure of the profound influence that George Michael has had on me personally. I am by no means a prolific blogger but today I felt compelled, and I guess inspired, to write about a man who sadly will never know how greatly he affected me and many others like me.

The first time I experienced this great artist was when I first heard the 12 inch underground version of Wham Rap in the early 1980s where the songwriting credit was given to Panos and Ridgely. I recall Ridgeley was spelt incorrectly, and Panos was the chosen evolution of George’s birth surname Panayiotou before he selected the identity that we all know and love of George Michael. Wham! were not yet a household name and I had no idea what they even looked like. But still, the track connected with me in a big way. Once they hit the scene I loved the Fantastic album with its mixture of soul, pop and good vibes. But it was one sunny afternoon walking along Birmingham’s New Street where George metaphorically grabbed me. The saxophone solo of “Careless Whisper” spilled out of the HMV record store and I became fixed to the papvpavementI listened with a great sense of awe. It was beautiful, hooky and amazingly original. Suddenly I wanted to be like George Michael.

My hair was naturally curly, like George’s, and like him, I struggled to keep it in the trendy hairstyles of the day. I also had both my ears pierced and sported those trademark gold sleepers. In truth, I was told I looked like Andrew Ridgeley and not George, but that was ok because I loved Wham! as a whole. And without Andrew’s influence, we must remember George would not even have had the courage to step into the limelight and we may never have heard any of his wonderful songs. George’s image inspired me for sure but it was his music that connected with me more than anything.

For me, not since Elvis Presley has a solo performer possessed the looks, charisma, stage presence and glorious singing voice other than George Michael. Like Elvis, he seemed to have it all, yet he could even beat Elvis in one department – songwriting.

George Michael was a ground-breaker, which perhaps hasn’t always been recognised. He really was so much more than a fantastic singer, songwriter and charismatic performer. Let’s reflect on this for a moment:

He wrote Careless Whisper at the age of 17

Was one-half of the biggest selling band of the 1980s

As one-half of Wham! was the first western band to play in China

Sold more than 100 Million records worldwide

His debut solo album Faith sold more than 20 Million copies

Won 4 Ivor Novello Awards

Won 3 Brit Awards

2 Grammy Awards

He supported the 1980s Miners strike and spoke out against Thatcher

He was quick to understand and comment on the Bush and Blair relationship

He came out in perhaps the most extraordinary way ever recorded – during a police sting in a Beverly Hills toilet! And then turned that experience on its head by crafting the song ‘Outside’and its hilarious accompanying video complete with glittering urinals

Successfully went from bubblegum band member to successful and evergreen solo artist, creating an inspiration for the likes of Robbie Williams

Achieved the biggest selling number 2 of all time with ‘Last Christmas’ (he was at No 1 on Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas)

Had the courage to take on his record company in court as an attempt to secure rights and freedoms for both himself and other artists

Was an LGBT Activist

And of course, appeared in the first ever James Corden Carpool Karaoke!

So George leaves us quite a legacy both inside and outside his music, and like all great inspirational leaders, he was true to his beliefs and often viewed the cause of others as more important than his own credibility.

At the time of writing, stories are emerging of this very private but very friendly man who significantly donated to charity with the condition that a ‘big deal’ was not to be made of it. Social media has been alive with moving tributes by the likes of Ridgeley, Robbie Williams, Madonna, Elton John, Brian May, Boy George and Rob Lowe.

If I am to present a balanced tribute to George, it has to be stated that his private life revealed some very bizarre incidents, but which somehow still served to add a sense of warmth to the character of a superstar who was actually at the same time just a normal bloke. Through those incidents, George was simply making memories for us and instilling some talking points to keep him alive in addition to his ever-lasting music. To his credit, he was always keen to utilise these events, send himself up and use the controversy as a platform to still entertain people. Quite an extraordinary gift and sense of will. Appearances on Comic Relief, Catherine Tate Show, Extras and Little Britain are hilarious examples.

I would have loved to have met John Lennon, but he was shot dead when I was 11. I always believed that one day the opportunity may present itself for me to meet George Michael but alas it now can never be so. At least I had the great pleasure of seeing him perform live on several occasions. In 1984 at Birmingham’s NEC, my first ever concert and I was blown away by the performance of Wham! They created amazing energy coupled with such a polished performance. The night was made even more special as footage of the concert was included in the video for “Everything She Wants”. I also attended Wham! The Final which ranks as one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. As a solo performer, I saw George play live on the Cover to Cover tour, twice on the 25 Live Tour at the NEC again and Manchester City’s Football stadium, before finally witnessing George’s fabulous voice in all its glory during the Symphonica Tour. It saddens me that I will never have the chance to see him perform live again. At the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert in 1992, he demonstrated to the world just what a truly extraordinary and amazing performer he was. He could hold his own against anybody once he graced that stage.

As a young kid, I always wanted to grow up to be a part of music myself. The Beatles and Elvis were my first influence but with those greats, I’ve always needed to look back in order to recognise their impact as I was never part of their generation. When the music of George Michael came along he was the only other significant inspiration to me, but what was great was he was contemporary so I could always grow with him and look forward to the next chapter. Like The Beatles, the music of George Michael has been a constant in my life and in particular during my own years of songwriting and playing in bands from the late 80s – 1990s. The influence of George Michael in my own songwriting is there for all to see, although I can never claim to match it.When I hung up my keyboard I began to play with words by evolving from song writing to writing books. I love scribing but music will always be in my heart and this is why the subject finds it’s way into my novels. George Michael is referred to in all three of my published novels at the time of writing. I was always taken with the stories of Wimbledon Football Club booming out songs from a ghetto blaster in their changing rooms to motivate them before a game. In

When I hung up my keyboard I began to play with words by evolving from songwriting to writing books. I love scribing but music will always be in my heart and this is why the subject finds it’s way into my novels. George Michael is referred to in all three of my published novels at the time of writing. I was always taken with the stories of Wimbledon Football Club booming out songs from a ghetto blaster in their changing rooms to motivate them before a game. In Beneath The Floodlights I use this concept when the football team in the story blast out “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” before a match, and one of the footballers is a huge 80s fan wearing T-shirts sporting the catchphrase ‘CHOOSE LIFE’ – a slogan created by Wham! Then in Mind Guerrilla I take George’s own exploratory thoughts from his track “White Light” which he released following his near-death experience in Austria in 2011, forming the question Was it science that saved him or spirituality? The only questions on my lips today are Why didn’t something save him on Christmas Day 2016? What possible good reason is there for the world to be robbed of a talent like George’s at such a young age? In Mind Guerrilla I also make reference to his Olympic ceremony perofrmance. And finally, just 1 month short of his untimely death I released Things They’ll Never See where a failing rock star, Jake Zennor is seeking a way to emulate George Michael in the transition from band member to successful global superstar. My next book 27 will include a dedication to George Michael.

So as homes across the world were celebrating their Christmas day listening to George’s song “Last Christmas” news came through that rocked the foundations of our very being. This inspirational and much-loved star had passed away making this and every Christmas going forward somewhat of a poignant nature. George Michael owned John Lennon’s piano, the same that the great song “Imagine” had been composed on. Well, imagine that! It could have had no more deserving owner after Lennon. And George went on to compose the song “John and Elvis are Dead” as a tribute to these two musical heavyweights that have departed. George was questioning the rationale for their untimely deaths because losing inspirational and talented people so young makes no sense. Well, now we are left wondering why George Michael who penned that wonderful song has been taken from us at such an unnatural time. We wait to understand the cause of his death as a post mortem will be conducted in the next few days. The cause perhaps, the reasoning never.

I’ve been speaking today with my peers and people of my generation ever since I learned of the awful news, be it face to face or over social media. We must continue to speak of George Michael and then his energy and spirit can never really die. RIP George Michael, gone too soon but never forgotten. Your music and legacy will live on. You Have Been Loved. x